Who is the BEST Western Conference Team?

With the Western Conference Round One Playoffs finishing up a few days ago, it is easy to see that all four teams are very talented and can go a long way in the playoffs. They all rely heavily on their goaltenders, as most teams do, but also have a variety of other weapons within their lineup. The question is....who will push through and make it through the next two rounds for a chance at the Cup?

First, the #2 seeded St. Louis Blues. Jaro Halak was named starter for the playoffs but after an injury early on set him aside, Brian Elliot hopped in. So far, he's been nothing short of excellent. The Blues are a very young team but guided by one of the best in the business, a sure candidate for coach of the year, Ken Hitchcock. He system relies mainly on defense but that doesn't mean they can't put the puck in the net. On the back end, led by the young, up and coming Alex Pietrangelo, the Blues sport a mix of young and talented with grizzly veterans. Roman Polak has been a great help in the first round and the stellar play of Shattenkirk and Colaiacovo has also been good. On offense, they have a ton of young, hungry players led by a favorite of mine, David Backes. You want a power forward, that's the guy you call. Big, strong, and skilled, Backes can do an array of things. Other young names include David Perron, TJ Oshie, and Patrik Berglund. Veterans Jason Arnott and Jamie Langenbrunner. The key to the Blues, in my opinion, may rest on Andy McDonald. If healthy and playing well, the Blues have a playmaking center capable of finding targets.

Next comes the #3 seeded Phoenix Coyotes. Many picked them to lose in their first round matchup but I knew they had a chance to win it because of one thing.....Mike Smith. The tall, athletic goaltender put up great numbers this year after getting the starting shot again. Thanks to goaltending coach Sean Burke. Smith uses his frame to take up the entire net while using his long limbs to snag anything else that may fall loose. Assistant Captain Kieth Yandle leads the defense while Captain Shane Doan leads the offense. A great surprise, at 39 years old, has been veteran Ray Whitney. The key for the Coyotes is keeping the puck out of their net. If Mike Smith can do so, they will be in every game. As seen by five of six of their round 1 games going into overtime, they keep it close and strike when least expected.

The #5 seeded Predators are the "complete" playoff team in my mind. They have a Vezina candidate for the next seven years in Pekka Rinne. Again, huge frame and quick as lightning. The man never gives up on a puck and makes some unbelievable saves. The defense helps that much more. Between three players they are dominant on the back end. Shea Weber has a cannon on the powerplay and is as tough as they come. Ryan Suter is a shut down specialist. A huge added piece and trade deadline superstar, Hal Gill (when healthy), is as good as they come. Towering 6' 7" and 241 pounds, it's pretty understandable why most teams want him when it's playoff time. The offense is just as potent also. Trade deadline acquisitions Sergei Kostitsyn and Paul Gaustad provide extra help in the scoring, checking, and faceoff departments. Add in superstar Russian Alexander Radulov to the likes of Mike Fisher, Patric Hornqvist, Andrei Kostitsyn, Martin Erat, and David Legwand...one thought comes to mind....dangerous.

Finally, the not to be forgotten #8 seeded L.A. Kings. Forget that #8 seed by the way. The under-performing regular season Kings added Jeff Carter to the mix at the trade deadline. That seemed to bring a bit of fire to the lineup. Add that to the more than stellar full season play of Vezina candidate Jonathon Quick and you have a team that can go far. Up front, Anze Kopitar, from the country that can't even field an Olympic hockey team, Slovenia, leads the way. He can do it all. He's a big body and has great hands and vision as well as a great shot and release. Dustin Brown is a player any team would love to have and the Captain of the team. Mike Richards and Jeff Carter are back to playing together after their days in Philadelphia. This, among great depth names like Jared Stoll, Dustin Penner, and Brad Richardson, gives the Kings a top tier offense. Defensively, losing Jack Johnson by trade doesn't help. Drew Doughty hasn't had a year like last year but after missing training camp, it's tough to make up for lost time. Willie Mitchell, Matt Greene, and Rob Scuderi all have great shutdown skills and playoff experience. Slava Voynov has also been a nice surprise adding some offense from the blue line. 

Four great teams but only one can go to the finals....so who will it be? The Kings have been a huge sleeper to me and I think they are finally finding their own in the playoffs. I am going to go out on a limb and say they beat the Blues in a great seven game series. The Predators are too stacked, I believe, to lose to Phoenix. They will win in six games maximum. This will then leave the Kings and Predators fighting for the Cup spot. It will be a fantastic series if they meet with two Vezina goalies and potent offenses. In the end though, the defense of the Predators may just be too good, therefore, getting my pick to run the table to the Cup Finals. 

Who do you think will come from the West?